Raising the Bar

Whether you want your cocktail shaken, stirred or on the rocks, or hot and smothered in whipped cream or perhaps made with housemade cereal milk, there is a drink in the South Sound for you. It was tough research — but here are some sip-worthy candidates. Cheers!

Harkonnen. Photos by Parker Miles Blohm and Rachel Coward

Harkonnen

Mezcal, rum, and smoked salted turbinado, served over large iceWhere to get it:Hilltop Kitchen, TacomaDrink this if: You’re a huge fan of Frank Herbert (Tacoma native) and the Dune series that he created.

Earl Grey Sour

Amaretto, brown butter bourbon, lemon, Earl Grey, egg whiteWhere to get it:Marrow Kitchen and Bar, TacomaDrink this if: Your British accent needs work. It will get better with every cocktail!

Cucumber-Jalapeno Margarita

Sauza Gold, triple sec, lime, lemon, agave and chipotle salt rimWhere to get it:The Matador, TacomaDrink this if: The fiesta in your mouth needs to be kicked up a notch.

Hemingway

Honey whiskey, English cucumber and dry vanilla sodaWhere to get it:Maxwell’s Speakeasy and Lounge, TacomaDrink this if: You need a moment’s peace from F. Scott and Zelda’s bickering.
Bartender Ryan O’Donnell also recommends the Six Shooter if you like sweeter drinks. “It’s coffee tequila, rye whiskey and chocolate bitters. It has a sweet, dessert flavor.”

Hot-Buttered Crown

Their twist on hot-buttered rumWhere to get it:Crown Bar, TacomaDrink this if: You lost a mitten in a slush puddle and need to keep warm.
Bartender Amy Hassett also recommends the West Slope Honey Bee, made with rum, honey, simple syrup and grapefruit.

Argentine Zombie Slayer

Gin, Chambord, blackberry puree, lemon juice, simple syrup and sodaWhere to get it:Asado, TacomaDrink this if: A tough work week has left you walking dead. (It’ll have you tango-ing in no time!)
Bartender James Schwartze also recommends trying Asado’s refreshing orange margarita.

HG Fresca

Tanqueray gin, lime, orange, triple sec float, splash of pink grapefruit juice and soda served on the rocksWhere to get it:HG Bistro, PuyallupDrink this if: You need a light and slightly sweet drink to lift you into the clouds.

Double “0” 25

Hendricks gin, Grey Goose, and French apertifWhere to get it:Brix 25*, Gig HarborDrink this if: You need some help waiting to gaze into Daniel Craig’s eyes in Spectre.

Old Smoky

Hot Apple Cider

Apple pie moonshine, cinnamon whiskey, hot cider topped with whipped creamWhere to get it:Topside Bar and Grill, SteilacoomDrink this if: You need a warm all-American hug on a rainy day.
Bartender Sarah Peoples loves to sip the rosemary lemon drop. “It’s not too sweet and the rosemary is really subtle. There’s a good balance between citrus and herb.”

Ritz Cocktail

Cognac, triple sec, lemon, maraschino liqueur, topped with sparkling wine and served in a champagne fluteWhere to get it:Dillinger’s Cocktails and Kitchen, OlympiaDrink this if: You just saw the room service bill after a night at the Ritz-Carlton.
Bar manager Sherilyn Lightner makes the Ritz Cocktail — it’s pretty and packs a powerful punch.

Northwest Manhattan

Northwest Manhattan

Four Roses bourbon, Scrappy’s cardamon bitters and B.G. Reyonolds hibiscus grenadineWhere to get it:Dockside Bistro, OlympiaDrink this if: You need a taste of the Big Apple in the home of the best apples.
Bartender Kailey Caldwell (left) and Haley Williams serve up the Northwest Manhattan. Caldwell also recommends the basil martini. “It’s really refreshing, especially in winter. It makes me feel like its summer.”

The Ways and the Means

Bourbon, housemade cereal milk, root liquer, demara gomme syrup, egg white and cinnamonWhere to get it:1022 South, TacomaDrink this if: You’re looking for a (delicious) liquid breakfast.
General Manager Rose Peterson serves up The Ways and the Means, one of the most creative cocktails on this list. She even uses demara gomme syrup rather than simple syrup. Gomme (French for gum) syrup was popular in the 19th century. It gives cocktails a silky mouth feel and takes this drink up another notch.

The original Trader Vic’s Mai Tai

Aged rum, lemon and lime juices, almond syrup and topped with dark rumWhere to get it:The Forum, TacomaDrink this if: Your true life calling was to sail off with Captain Jack Sparrow.

Rock Island Bucket

Skyy vodka, New Amsterdam gin, Cruzan rum, triple sec with a float of Bacardi 151Where to get it:The Rock, various locationsDrink this if: Someone else has the car keys!
The Tacoma Rock’s John Brooks serves up the bucket — literally served in a bucket. He also recommends brave ones try their Don’t Fear the Reaper.

Pina Colada

Fresh cored pineapple chunks, coconut cream and lime blended with light rumWhere to get it:Tacoma Cabana, TacomaDrink this if: You like getting caught in the rain …

Lavender Blonde

Fresh oranges, lavender bitters, sugar, egg whites, vanilla, Pinnacle whipped vodka topped with Harmon blondeWhere to get it:Harmon Taproom, TacomaDrink this if: You want the best of both worlds.

A Classic Negroni

Aviation gin, campari and sweet vermouthWhere to get it:Bite, Hotel Murano, TacomaDrink this if: You want to sip something timeless while enjoying art.

Bartender’s Choice

Tell your bartender a little bit about yourself and what you like to drink, and you’ll get a personalized cocktail.
Where to get it: Hilltop Kitchen or Marrow, both in Tacoma
Drink this if: You don’t like making choices.
You’ll find Chris Keil tending bar at both Hilltop Kitchen and Marrow. He doesn’t like his photo taken, but he will give you drink advice all day long. He loves to sip the Harkonnen at Hilltop. “It’s one of my favorite drinks ever. It’s sweet, smoky and salty so it ends up tasting like a sweet salted caramel.”